The Jonsson-Rowland Science Center (often referred to as J-ROWL), is home to the School of Science at

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (; RPI) is a private university, private research university in Troy, New York, United States. It is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and the Western Hemisphere. It was establishe ...

Troy Troy (/; ; ) or Ilion (; ) was an ancient city located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. It is best known as the setting for the Greek mythology, Greek myth of the Trojan War. The archaeological site is open to the public as a tourist destina ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

. It is named for

J. Erik Jonsson John Erik Jonsson (6 September 1901 – 31 August 1995) was an American businessman who was co-founder and early president of Texas Instruments Incorporated. He became Mayor of Dallas, a major advocate of the creation of Dallas/Fort Worth Inter ...

and Henry A. Rowland. The building was dedicated on 21 October 1961.

History

Prior to the construction of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center,

had developed a plan to develop institutional research, increase graduate enrollment, and modernize the campus. The construction of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center would mark the institutes first step towards fulfilling this plan as it would host the modern laboratories necessary for this development of the campus. The building was designed was designed as a four-story building, joined at right angles. It was designed by the architects Voorhees, Walker, Smith & Smith, formally known as the firm

Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker was a New York architectural firm. The parent company was founded in New York City by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz in 1885. In 1900 he added partner Andrew C. McKenzie and when Eidlitz left the firm in 1910 he was replaced by ...

at a cost of $3,003,000. The first phase of the science center which was proposed included two laboratories. The laboratories were designed as modular units, which had movable metal walls meant to create a flexible lab space The building was named for these two laboratories which it houses. The Jonsson Laboratory for the Study and Teaching of Science was named for

, RPI Class of 1922, who provided funds to the institute to build and equip the laboratory. The Rowland Physics Laboratory was named in memory of Henry A. Rowland, RPI Class of 1870, Physicist and first President of the

American Physical Society The American Physical Society (APS) is a not-for-profit membership organization of professionals in physics and related disciplines, comprising nearly fifty divisions, sections, and other units. Its mission is the advancement and diffusion of ...

. When fully constructed, the building housed offices for the School of Science and Physics and Mechanics departments in addition to these laboratories. The Science Center was dedicated on October 21, 1961, along with the Gaerttner Linear Accelerator (LINAC), which was obtained under an Atomic Energy Commission Contact. The dedication ceremony of the Science Center was somewhat unique, as instead of the traditional ribbon cutting customary to dedications, the building was instead opened by cutting a chain with a blow torch.

Relocation of the Hirsh Observatory

In 1983, the Hirsh Observatory was relocated to make room for the ow Center for industrial Technologyref name = "Hirsch"> and placed on the top of the south wing of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center.

Recognition

The Institute received recognition for leading in technology from President John F. Kennedy for the construction of the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center and the Linear accelerator. Kennedy gave his recognition in a message to the institutes, having stated that “the dedication of the new Science Center and Linear accelerator at Rensselaer is a significant event in the life of one of our leading technological institutions.”

References

{{RPITemplate Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Buildings and structures in Troy, New York Science museums in New York (state)

History

Relocation of the Hirsh Observatory

Recognition

See also

References